The Norwegian government plans to legalize live poker tournaments - Norway

Live poker tournaments are expected to head back to Norway. A new bill has recently been introduced to the Parliament with a great focus on modifying the harsh regulation that banned live poker in the country. The said bill was put under discussion following the recommendations issued by Thorhild WIdvey, the Norways Minister of Culture, along with the preparation work carried out by Norways gambling regulator, the Lotteritilsynet. As a reminder, the draft law aims to expand local gambling market with live poker and establish a new legislative framework ruling event organizers. During an interview on Friday, October 17, Thorhild Midvey noted that, thanks to this bill, Norway could earn back national poker championships which are held abroad.

Indeed, the Norwegian authorities, according to the communication published by Norways Minister of Culture Thorhild Widvey, have made a further step forward into modifying the current legislative framework to allow events with up to five regional qualifiers with a limited Main Event prize pool. Organizers who run NOK 1,000 (or less) buy-in live poker events with no more than 10 participants will be given the go-ahead without the need of a Lotteritilsynet-issued authorization or any other permission granted by local institution. The NOK 1,000 buy-in limit is a considerable increase compared to the NOK 500 (approximately $ 83) buy-in set last June. Paralleling the live poker comeback to the country, the Norwegian authorities also bet on opening its online poker market, a sector which is currently monopolized by Norway-based operator Norsk Tipping. However, the outcome is not for tomorrow since there are still some questions raised by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on the matter.